LSC Roundup 7-27

Q and A with Coach Sam McElroy
Editors note: E-T Sports Editor Brad Keith sat down with Tarleton Head Football Coach Sam McElroy on Friday to discuss the start of the upcoming 2009 season. Keith asks and McElroy answers in this, the first of four installments in the Q&A; series previewing upcoming football training camps.

Fugett steps down after 15-year stay at ECU
ADA – Todd Fugett, East Central University’s third-longest tenured coach, has decided to step down from his assistant football position to accept a customer relations position with the Chickasaw Nation in Ada.

Fugett, a native of Blanchard, has spent the last 15 years as an assistant coach at his alma mater, mostly as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator.

“The last 15 years have been an invaluable experience. Being at East Central has allowed me to develop as a person,” said Fugett. “I’ve established some roots. Ada has become my home and given me stability.”

“I’m glad to have worked at my alma mater for 15 years. In the college coaching profession, guys tend to bounce around. I was very fortunate to stay in one place,” Fugett said.

During Fugett’s 15-year stay at ECU, 13 were spent on the defensive side of the ball. He also served as offensive coordinator in 1997 and was special teams’ coordinator in 1998.

Fugett played for the Tigers from 1982-84 as a defensive back as specialized in coaching that area through most of his career.

“Few college football coaches have been around long enough to see young men develop, grow and to become contributing members to society,” said Fugett. “I was always excited when our former players came back to campus and to see how they succeeded with their families and careers.”

Rowe named to Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Tarleton’s Jacob Rowe has been selected to the 2009 Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team.

The award is given to hard-working and committed college football players will take the field this fall knowing that the impact they have on their teams and communities has nothing to do with touchdowns, tackles or receptions. For a second consecutive year, Allstate Insurance Company has partnered with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) to announce the list of 106 student-athletes nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team((R)), which honors college football players who make outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement.

Rowe, a junior defensive end on this year’s football team, is a graduate of Alvarado high school. The two year letterman has been very active while attending Tarleton, and not just on the football field.

Rowe is a member of College Life, Refuge and Core while also holding student-athlete Bible studies. He regularly helps hand out meals to the elderly and disabled in Stephenville with other members of the Texan football squad via Meals on Wheels. Other activities he has helped with in Stephenville are the Tri-Star Games, Foster’s Home for Children, Disciple Now, Vacation Bible School and the Tarleton Student Government Association. The Texan has also served on various mission trips and counseled at several summer camps as well as making frequent trips to the retirement homes in Stephenville to visit their residents.

Rowe also sponsors a child through Compassion International and is an active member of a mentoring program.

“This is a great honor for Jacob, our football team and our University,” said Tarleton head football coach Sam McElroy. “There are a great number of kids that do things throughout the year to help others, and for Jacob to be singled out as one of the best means a great deal to us. He certainly deserves this award and the things he does to help others is wonderful. We know he will continue to serve because that is who Jacob is.”

Wesley Nominated for AFCA Good Works Team
NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS – A hard-working and committed group of college football players will take the field this fall knowing that the impact they have on their teams and communities has nothing to do with touchdowns, tackles or receptions. For a second consecutive year, Allstate Insurance Company has partnered with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) to announce the list of 106 student-athletes nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team((R)), which honors college football players who make outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement.

Texas A&M-Kingsville senior left guard Markeith Wesley (Navasota/Navasota HS) was one of 106 nominees nationwide. Wesley’s resume offers several examples of the positive impact he has had on his community. For example, he volunteered with the Kingsville Boys and Girls Club, mowing the lawn and working summer camps. The massive offensive lineman dedicated his time to the Driscoll Children’s Hospital as well as Special Olympics events held on campus. Wesley is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as Junior Deacon at his home church in Navasota, Texas. He is one of four Lone Star Conference student-athletes receiving a nomination.


ACU recognized by WBCA
BILENE – Just a few months before its season begins on the court, the ACU women's basketball team has been recognized by the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association for its work in the classroom.

The women's basketball team has been ranked No. 5 in the NCAA Division II Academic Top 25 Honor Roll for the 2008-09 season. The Wildcats checked in with a team GPA of 3.580 during the season to earn the No. 15 spot. St. Thomas Aquinas College is the top-ranked team in the academic poll with a team GPA of 3.694. Saint Martin's is No. 2 in the poll at 3.668, followed by Ashland at No. 3 (3.647), Michigan Tech (3.653) and ACU. The only other Lone Star Conference team in the rankings for 2008-09 is West Texas A&M, which is No. 24 with a 3.371 team GPA.

The Wildcats have been ranked in the top 25 in each of the 11 academic polls conducted by the WBCA, finishing 17th in 1998-99 to ninth (1999-2000), fifth (2000-1), first (2001-02), fourth (2002-03), fifth (2003-04), 21st (2004-05), ninth (2005-06), 10th (2006-07), 17th (2007-08), and now fifth.

The ACU women's basketball program has a history of academic excellence with four former greats – Claudia Schleyer, Suzanne Johnson, Jennifer Clarkson and Jackie Bucher – earning first team academic all-America honors, and those four plus two others (Cathe Crow and Caroline Omamo) earned NCAA Post-Graduate scholarships.